Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Football Compass.
- Accumulator
- A bet that combines multiple selections into one wager; the payout grows as each selection wins, similar to a parlay.
- Arbitrage
- Placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event across different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit regardless of the result.
- Asian Handicap
- A handicap betting style that eliminates the draw outcome and uses whole, half, or quarter goal lines to give a team an advantage or disadvantage.
- Back
- To bet on a particular outcome to happen, as opposed to betting against it.
- Bankroll
- The total amount of money you have set aside for betting.
- Bet Builder
- A feature that lets you combine different markets from a single match into one custom bet.
- Bookmaker
- A company or individual that sets odds and accepts bets on sporting and other events.
- Cash Out
- A feature that lets you settle a bet before the event ends, either locking in a profit or minimizing a loss.
- Decimal Odds
- A format that expresses the total return per unit stake, including the original stake, as a single number.
- Edge
- The statistical advantage a bettor believes they have over the sportsbook’s odds on a particular outcome.
- European Handicap
- A three-way handicap where you bet on a team with a head start or deficit, but the draw remains an option.
- Fractional Odds
- A traditional UK format that shows the profit relative to the stake, displayed as a fraction (e.g., 5/1).
- In-Play Betting
- Placing a bet on a match while it is already in progress, with odds that update as the game unfolds.
- Juice
- The commission or fee that a sportsbook charges on a bet, usually built into the odds, also called vigorish.
- Lay
- To bet against an outcome occurring, typically used in betting exchanges where you act as the bookmaker.
- Moneyline
- A bet on which team will win a match, with odds shown as a positive or negative number indicating the favorite and underdog.
- Odds
- The number that tells you how much you can win relative to your stake, reflecting the chance the sportsbook thinks an outcome will happen.
- Odds Format
- The way odds are displayed, such as decimal, fractional, or American, affecting how you calculate potential returns.
- Over/Under
- A bet on whether the total number of goals, points, or runs in a match will be higher or lower than a set line.
- Parlay
- A single bet that links two or more selections; all must win for the parlay to pay out, increasing potential profit.
- Partial Cash Out
- An option to withdraw only part of your bet’s value while leaving the remainder active for the rest of the event.
- Point Spread
- A handicap given to the favorite team to level the betting field, expressed as a number of goals or points.
- Same Game Parlay
- A type of parlay where all selections come from the same match, allowing you to mix markets like goals, cards, and corners.
- Stake
- The amount of money you risk on a bet.
- Value Bet
- A bet where the odds offered are higher than the true probability of the outcome, giving you an expected edge.